KenyaCAT Newsletter, Issue 1 - April 2013

>> Young People Inspiring Action for Change

KenyaCAT A Newsletter of the Kenya Climate Action Teams

working with youth and community Issue No: 001

April 2013

Naivasha CAT Green Platinum‟s Eric at work creating the „Eco-Broom‟.

Embu CAT member Mercy Nyambura advocates for change at a CAPSAY schools meeting in Embu. Mercy, a talented actor and artist embodies the attributes of a committed and active youth, who participates fully in community activities.

Advocacy

KenyaCAT Products Participation

Advocacy YOUTH EMPOWERMENT & TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE

The Climate Action Teams (CATs) Project, implemented by the Climate Action Programme for Schools and Youth (CAPSAY) aims to empower youth to help Kenya improve environmental sustainability and reduce poverty. CATs focuses on two most critical challenges: youth unemployment and helping communities to tackle climate change.

Sponsored by:

An introductory message from the CAPSAY Programme Manager Greig Whitehead Tackling Climate Change Starts Here!

Inside this Programme Mgr‘s Message CATs Project Leader

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CATs Project Introduction

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Nairobi CAT

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Naivasha CAT

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Embu CAT

6

Mombasa CAT

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Actions & Thoughts

8/9

Thika CAT

10

Kericho CAT

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Yatta CAT

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Nakuru CAT

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New CATS / websites, etc.

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Future Plans / Dates

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Our Partners

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CAPSAY Contacts

Head Office: 80 Muthithi Road Westlands, Nairobi PO Box 11349 Nairobi 00100 Email: info@capsay.org Web: www.capsay.org Programme Mgr: Greig Whitehead Greig.whitehead@capsay.org CATs Project Leader: Habil Olembo Habil.olembo@capsay.org Nakuru Project Officer: Kevin Ochieng Kevin.ochieng@capsay.org Embu Project Officer: Mollo Alphonce Mollo.alphonce@capsay.org

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Why CATs? The CATs project aims to lead positive youth action in Kenya and by example, to inspire a wider range of stakeholders to do the same. CATs strive to help turn the negative image of youth, fuelled by poverty and desperate need, into a positive picture of young people committed to sustainable development. CAT members are at the cutting edge of helping to build community resilience, while at the same time providing effective stewardship for the environment.

The CATs project began in August 2011 and now is growing to include CAT (youth) groups in sixteen different community settings across Kenya. Each group is fully registered and has a bank account. Groups also boast an office base with furniture, IT equipment and land space to run horticultural projects and display their work. Their projects reflect the different needs of their communities, but all are „green‟ (ie: friendly to the environment) and all set out to demonstrate ways of creating practical actions that lead to community benefits.

This newsletter aims to provide a flavour of just how CAT groups operate and the types of projects they develop. It also seeks responses from all sectors of the community, to help move the CATs forward on an ever-changing pathway, that inspires us all to build a more viable and more sustainable Kenya.

BECAUSE … CATs CAN DO IT BETTER!

Welcome to the KenyaCAT by Habil Olembo On behalf of the entire network of Climate Action Teams in Kenya, we wish to welcome you to this first edition of KenyaCAT newsletter. The purpose is to provide a channel for sharing information, experiences, stories of change and activities, about our work with youth and community, across the country.

At KenyaCAT we inspire learning for change. By so doing young people are empowered to develop solutions to local concerns, thus inspiring community actions for the improvement of livelihoods and reduction of poverty.

Through this newsletter, we aim to keep all stakeholders in our network fully informed of the latest happenings in the In this inaugural issue of KenyaCAT you CATs project. I hope you will find this will find a range of different profiles of the both useful and inspiring. and that you first eight Climate Action Teams — we will be searching for the next edition call them CATs! Eight new CATs are combefore it arrives! ing on board soon. It is my hope that you will be pleased to learn about the simple Happy reading! yet great work CAT youth are doing to Habil Olembo, CATs Project Leader, CAPSAY become „Changemakers‟ in their communities, all over Kenya.

Climate Action Teams (CATs) is a project within the Climate Action Programme for Schools and Youth (CAPSAY) that works with youth to stimulate greater awareness and more action on climate change, for communities in Kenya. The Climate Action Teams are youth groups that put the theory in to practice at the local level. They have three main priorities: GREEN BUSINESS COMMUNITY OUTREACH IMPACTING ON COUNTY POLICY

“My Little thing is planting trees:”

OT CATs act to Make Money … Nlp ing Take Money … as a way to he es. themselves and their communiti

Wangari Maathai

GREEN ENTERPRISE

possible to make profits while doing im it Is ! en gre be n’t ca s es sin bu Who said t it is possible. good in the society? We believe tha

COMMUNITY CONNECT

d long-lasting acan ss ne are aw ate cre to aim we h, Through community outreac stainable path of development. su a on ty cie so r ou t se l wil pe ho tion that we

ADVOCATE POLICY

on policy processesct pa im d an ing ak -m ion cis de al We aim to influence loc & participating in all relevant ts en ev cy ca vo ad g izin an org , efs through policy bri governance processes.

AIM

To increase capacity of Kenyan youth to tackle impacts of climate change, through outreach and entrepreneurship, inspiring community action and influencing LGA responses and uptake of the ‘National Climate Change Action Plan.

PRIORITY AREAS

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Sustainable „green‟ business, profit-generating, micro enterprises.

Youth mobilised to build knowledge and skills, become valued stakeholders on sustainable development (SD).

Community outreach to groups and individuals to create awareness and promote action.

Youth-build „green‟ businesses as catalysts for community action to improve livelihoods, enhance SD and reduce poverty.

Influence on local decision making and impact on policy formation.

Youth advocate to prioritise this focus within local communities CBOs and individuals.

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GreenGen

The Climate Action Team in Nairobi Green Gen Contacts: 80 muthithi road, Westlands.

P O BOX 11349 nairobi PHONE - 0713054951 greengenkenya@gmail.com

FASHIONABLE GREEN … by Val CATs and fashion? When I finished my high school education back in 2009 I got an opportunity to be interviewed by a journalist from Britain who wanted to know what I planned to do after school.

Being from an ICC school, he also asked how I would continue with what I had being doing on climate change. It is almost four years since then, and if am asked the same question my answer remains the same ….

“I will use what I love to make my voice heard.” I love fashion and if am called to address issues that affect us as a developing nation, I can easily use this to reach out to people, without struggling.

We all don‟t have to do the many courses offered on issues of environment to make a difference because we are all different and unique; we just have to learn how to use what we have. We even make a bigger impact than if we tried doing the same by changing ourselves to what we are not.

True beauty lies in who we are and tapping on to that to bring about real change.

I have grown with CAPSAY and that has capacity-built me and given me information which puts me in a better position to reach out to others and address issues of health, water, food ,energy and waste.

CATs and fashion!

Valerie Achieng, Greengen & Egerton Uni.

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PARADOX OF OUR TIMES

ART-WITH-HEART

gs Is that we have taller buildin s, per tem r rte sho but er view points, Wider freeways but narrow e less, We spend more but we hav ses We have bigger hou but smaller families, s time, More conveniences but les se, sen s les More degrees but ent, gm jud s les but More knowledge , ms ble pro re mo but More experts, ss, llne More medicines, but less we sions, ses pos our lied ltip mu We have , but reduced our values too much, love too seldom talk We and hate too often, ke a living We have learnt how to ma , life a but not We have added years to life but not life to years, We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, the street But have trouble crossing to meet the new neighbor, space We have conquered outer ce, but not inner spa We’ve cleaned up the air but polluted our souls, lower morals, We’ve higher incomes, but s nutrition, More kinds of food, but les bring A time when technology can this letter to you, e when you can choose, tim And a ...or just hit, Either to make a difference delete

Art-with-Heart is a creative initiative by GREENGEN to create artistic solutions to Climate Change through promoting material re-use and reduction.

Art-with-Heart proves that discarded everyday objects can be re-invented into something elegant and beautiful, reducing our footprint on the earth and enabling climate change adaptation.

“Xtyn, Greengen” GREENGEN‘S CHRISTINE KARIMI performing a poem at the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) launch by the Ministry of Environment, at the Intercontinental Hotel. The NCCAP is specifically important for the CATs project because it is the national actualization plan for the National Climate Change Response Strategy (NCCRS) , which the project is anchored on. Christine from Nairobi CAT loves music, dancing and poetry and uses her talent to reach out to people and make them more aware of matters pertaining to the environment.

Green Platinum

The Climate Action Team in Naivasha Green Platinum Contacts: P.O. Box 428-20117, Naivasha PHONE - 0713054945

SOLUTION IN THE FLAMES!

THE BRIQUETTE PROJECT

Thika Cat mem ber making brique ttes

GREEN ENTERPRISE

Le ts and STO TH P IN K!

We aim to create employment opportunities while going green. So we created Green Enterprise. We currently have 4 Programmes covering our 4 themes of Energy, Agri-Business, Art & Design and Waste, respectively: -Green Acres -Green Energy -Eco-Fab

-Zero-Waste

The

eco-broom Therefore, success in fuel briquetting depends on understanding its benefits for the community & the environment.

DID YOU KNOW?

80% of the world‘s forests are already gone ….

IMAGINE THAT! To help address this issue Green Platinum plants a tree in your name for every 100/- you spend on any of our products.

A design collaboration that both avoids and eliminates waste, the Eco-Broom combines intelligent materiality with beautiful form.

Eco-brooms are basically made from waste plastic bottles as a solution to waste management and as an adaptation method to help tackle climate change.

THE PLASTIC CHALLENGE: • Plastic bottles are a petroleum product and use 151 billion litres of oil to produce each year.

• It takes 3-5 litres of water to make 1 plastic bottle.

• Approximately 1500 bottles end up in land fills and the ocean … every second.

• 2,500,000 tons of carbon dioxide is produced in the manufacturing of the plastic bottles each year.

In the industrial age, most products live only in the present. They have no past and no future. Factories plunder raw materials from the earth to make products that soon end up on the trash heap. This process is still happening every day, all over the world. Our work is trying to help change that approach.

Sustainable sources of wood fuel have diminished. Many poor families‟ household budgets suffer from domestic energy expenses. Deforestation has become a worldwide epidemic due to poverty, poor forest management policies, pressures of population growth, greed, and so on.

greenplatinumgroup@gmail.com

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Embu Climate Action

The Climate Action Team in Embu Bead work is an art that entails skills used to make ornaments for beautification purposes.

This art involves colour combination, creativity and pattern making.

We make ornaments from waste paper and wood, hence promoting recycling.

Such ornaments are: earrings, bangles, bracelets and necklaces.

They go at a price margin of between Ksh.50 and Ksh.350 depending on the item and the touch given it.

G CREATIN BEAUTY

„The creation of beauty is art‟

SUPA SOAP

Community Service: Genuine Service to humanity is our driving force. We engage in activities that impact positively on community.

We have so far engaged In: 

Tree planting (1000 seedlings) in Runyenjes, Moi high School Mbiruri and Embu town, Kirimari high school in partnership with KIM.



Monthly visit to Children's Homes within our community.



Two clean up activities in Embu town and its estates.

The Green House Project At EMCAT we believe in green business.

Agribusiness is our major endeavor where we do green house farming. As a climate change adaptation technique, we employ organic farming. We do tomatoes, yellow capsicum and onions, amongst others.

SUPA SOAP is made out of organic ingredients that have no negative environmental impact. The detergent produces good results in laundry, dishes and floor washing. We carry it out as a green business enterprise and sell to institutions and individual community members. As the group’s community responsibility, we train women and youth groups on the same and include them in our ‘ACT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE’ campaign.

EMCAT Contacts: Sparko building, 1st floor, Embu (above Family Bank) PHONE - 0713055220

Emcat2012@gmail.com

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Uwezo Youth Development Programme The Climate Action Team in Mombasa

Our Approach

UYDP members at the CATs training in Naivasha

About Us: Uwezo Youth Development Programme (UYDP) is the CAT in Mombasa. UYDP was founded in October 2011 as a youth group by a group of Scouts and Girl Guides from Kenya Ports Authority. In March 2013 we became a community based organization and we currently have 30 members.

UYDP is founded on the values of commitment, relevance, hope and service.

We seek to empower young people on environment and climate change issues, peace building and poverty reduction through capacity building, and partnerships.

What We Do: UYDP looks to equip out-of-school youth with the capacity not only to understand, but also to take action on issues of concern. We seek to to address the challenges young people and their communities face.

The fact that many young people lack meaningful and constructive work to do hurts the economy because a large potential workforce is not being fully utilized. Instead, youth resort to negative ways of earning a living. UYDP solutions are not get-rich-quick schemes, but they are viable and sustainable.

Through our various interventions we hope to increase the youth impact on development at the local community level, through a more informed society and greater awareness creation, solution development and policy formation. Empowering youth to transform communities is our major focus.

Our Current Projects:

Our Leadership:

The Executive Committee of UYDP is made up of the following:  Chairman: Nelson Ochieng Opany  Projects Officer: Phoebe Wanjiku  Administration Officer: Nancy Akinyi  Financial Officer: Sammy Maraga  Communication Officer: Jared Ogeto

Our Affiliations:

UYDP is proud to be affiliated to the following networks/organizations:  Climate Action Programme for Schools and Youth  Kenya Youth Climate Network  Messengers of Peace Kenya

Some Activities in Photos

Climate Action Teams

A youth-led action project focusing on climate awareness creation, development of sustainable green business enterprises and impact on local policy formation.

g uste-makin Briquet terials xled ma ing recy

UYDP envisions a pool of empowered and resourceful youth as lead agents for environmental protection and sustainable development, so that we improve our lives and create a better and more peaceful world for all.

Vijana Networks Initiative

This is a networking project that aims to consolidate the work of young people in Mombasa and increase youth participation in local and national development processes.

Eco Shift

Our corporate arm, fully owned by UYDP members through shareholding. Eco Shift enables members to make investments towards a secure financial future.

Empowered Youth …

Transforming Communities

the nting in Tree-pla y mmunit local co

UYDP DOES IT BETTER! UYDP Contacts: Uwezo Youth Development Programme Jeneby Building, 1st Floor, Room 4 Next to Unik Driving College, Moi Ave. P. O. Box 93485 - 80102 Mombasa, Kenya PHONE– 0713054984 Email: info.uydpkenya@gmail.com Blog: www.uydpkenya.blogspot.com

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Collective “We en rolled o n train educativ ings th e and at were Through benefic these t ial to rainings to star us. t some w environ e were able projects ment fr . iendly nurserie Poultry keep ing an s. This d tree has help to utiliz e e their time pr d the youths idlenes operly, s. The m curbing ost imp I have ortant g oal that Through attained is self re the exc liance. hange p able to rogram boost m s I was y confid the lin ence. T ks crea hrough te CAAPs I was a d by the CA Ts and ble to g utilized et a job the skil . I have ls munity develop gained throug h comm share w ent. I’m hat I h glad wh ave wit commu en I h nity in general. the youth and SAY!” Long liv e CAPCarol Ng ila, Yatta CAT

DISPL AYIN G

d informed dgeable an le w o , n k l e I fe ic farming Greengen, ch as organ su s e a su “Being in is g ein dle nt and b able to han manageme and better l a ci d comn a n n a fi ct S proje urship, e T n A C re p e e th tr n e ader in d me to has enable r. Being a le e le y u la d e p h m sc a te , so I school rganization o h my busy it d w n a it y g it in bin sponsibil establishing sense of re forward to g year (2012) in k o embrace a inlo oup late last ngen susta th. I am gr e o e b re th G ce e ed n k a in la a jo ceived from “I that m can b its I have re ef g activities n n ti be a lot ra e e n th e “ g d y goal. ave learned income CAT an h m I bi d t n ro a a ai N th m n, a is my dre have also ia, Greenge this group able. This is meetings. I Wangechi Kur “The kn o through wledge, skills an C from jus APSAY is beyo d exposure I t a youth nd mea sure. I h have had SAY has to a proa ave mov ctive acti enabled ed climate on taker, me to g change ro and CAP w im mensely awarene work wit , in term ss, h s of the envir CAPSAY has s and as a team trengthe leader. M o n y motivati nment and hav e been a ed my passion ng other for ble to c young p finding ontr so eo cally, na lutions to envir ple to actively ta ibute by onmenta tionally ke part and even l in internati challenges — o lon ally.”

Nelson O chieng O pany, UY DP Mom basa CAT

past enviduring the to keep the ow h on e or ibution learned m ed, my contr in jo I ce in S assistronment. e. I have been or m is p ou e group‟s to the gr d also as th n a ce fi of e oup is to ing in th on for the gr si vi y M . ry Kericho secreta g all over in er sp ro p it is well see it make sure to d n a , ty young right Coun , from the ll a by n our commuknow older ones in e th to gh u thro CAT nity.”

Caroline, Kericho

Action (a Climate nted th u o Y m lantiu nt. I wa in Green P ngemaker’ moveme ature as jo to d e I decid ther n the ‘Cha of our mo be part of ues Team) and w should I take care other youth on iss y e o ir H p ns in m to know … ? … How can I ins se questio ome a e th n d o a h rs I e young p nment? ce I bec our enviro um, but sin concerning I joined Green Planti em. re head befo e found answers to th v a h I ore youth member l inspire m munity il w m u ti n e com Green Pla enlighten th job lieve that It’s my be n Business, and also o be able to create e ls a re ti Plan um through G ental issues. It will sha. Green moted a iv a m N n e o ir id on env and outs lways pro ies within as it has a opportunit ired me as a lady, sp has also in owerment. p m e . My land is women’s pend on it t crops. e d I r fo fe is my li as, plan lement ide at my land CAT I believe th ave businesses, imp Naivasha ,h Platinum, en re G e, where I live eg Ruth Ch

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ING T A R NST O M E D

Individual

ACTIONS!

G

TIN N E S E PR

gy behind the ideolo n e n e b s a h AT into a This as count”. It has molded EMC usinesses e id r u o , counts tion. reen b “Your idea dynamism in opera tion of sustainable g , rabbit reare ta v in n k ti e m ma g our posi precin the imple making, ornament e se d n a of, and ap b t rt n a e p rg re te a e ideas hu mini,d ers at-knitting rming, which memb rences and s a fe if d se u such as m o ea en house fa rcome in-h munity. W m o c e th for ing and gre seen the group ove e mobilize h as ing back to g ate. This h s. We believe in giv home visit where w u ro ‟s gle gether th mize wran ur monthly children ildren, have fun to team‟s activo ch itial team have resent them to the was our in is h T . o p to donations, are life experiences lfills us.” n Team, sh and this fu limate Actio re C games and u u lt b u m c E r , u ow o , EMCAT ity and is n lius Karanja Ju

WE CAN ALL PLAY OUR PART

yond oes be ndig t i y ni a wa n as a procse in w u o r a g c e b he nd rt of t pogram arnt a n a pr rt I have le by being pa ege; the su a h t e n l o r i w o p v d i l o p r r m d u its s e a p AY is ter wo omes “CAPS e. Through o see a bet has felt lik ave and c the soluh f t us its ca who wants he program rainings we n be part o my voice t a t l c w f t a o o s n u n h e vid I k art s for fer out eing p ond the dif ays that „y orm where pened door B . s s f h in e o y hich s a plat .. This has s that yout ng oes be u e port g l support w ways have n o g o acti l ore y allen ra to mo n CATs, I a nd put into face the ch inuity of m I a o cont tion!‟. listened to ore, and t create sses. m d e n b T d a l e l wi olv gh oce asa CA be inv o go throu opment pr , Momb o P t D Y e l U t m e a, have he dev ku Main Kenya as part of t SAY!!” e Wanji b e o h P P e CA peopl atful er gre Forev

Experience is the be st teacher, or so I wo uld agree, because sin joined Green Platinum ce I my thinking has chan ged and I am made see the reality of life to . Innovations that I ha ve never thought would a reality have been be made by our Naiva sha CAT. I have als many people who ha o met ve the initiative to rec uperate and bring ba the environment to its ck pristine character as it was at the times of grandparents. I have our come to understand more about nature climate change. Throu and gh Green Platinum I have been able to ac more knowledge on qu ire en vir on me ntal issues and be in I have benefit enlighten other peop a position to ed from Gree le about the environ n Platinum by speak to au ment and how they take care it. diences and having cour can to be self-re age to edge on diff liant by gain erent course ing know s.

cause of liv I have been ling with gr living green een people. from many or be I have got kn ganizations, owledge like Lake Nai ability Initiat vasha Basin ive/Riparian SustainAssociation and many ot Green Platin hers. um has trig gered comm Naivasha’s Ka unity develo yole area by pment in employing its situated in N locals. Our gr aivasha, in Lakeview Lo oup is ing waste cation. We ar and sensiti e managzing the co change. Lake m m unity on cl view comm unity is aw imate and they ar are of climat e positively e change supporting us life is in Gree to carry on. n Platinum I believe and I believe the great pe that I can be ople, in Naiva one of sha through group. being in this amazing Steven Njorog

e, Green Platin um, Naiva

Robert Kioko, Green

Platinum, Naivasha CA T

PLAN N

ING

sha CAT

THOUGHTS

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Thika CAT

The Climate Action Team in Thika Urban farming is a response to a variety of pressures. Large parts of the developing world are facing shortages of water and arable land.

Urban Farming

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization says Governments and other sponsors have supported urban food-growing projects in Cuba, Colombia, Botswana and Egypt. In the developed world, small-scale urban farms are seen as an antidote to agribusiness excesses, including high costs, (monetary and environmental) of transporting food long distances to urban markets.

The benefits of urban farming are many, including: improved food security, nutrition and health, reduced farm-to-market distance, creation of local jobs and protection from food price hikes. But there are disadvantages also, if the practice is not well managed. The risks in urban farming, especially if it is focused on livestock, are also large as poor housing conditions can be causes of pollution and disease.

I

have learnt that development of leadership contributes greatly to the positive development of young people and the community through leadership skills such as goal setting, problem solving and sound decision making.

These skills help me a lot currently as a leader . I have greater understanding of the problems facing youths and fresh perspectives on how to address these problems, by using skills that have been inculcated in me through my involvement with CAPSAY. My skills in communication through public speaking and writing and engaging in the participation of others have improved over time.

Charles Mucheru, Chairperson, Thika CAT

TeamCharter One way of solving the challenges of team dynamics is by having a TEAM CHARTER. The charter sets out the norms of being in the group, the relations between the group members and their roles and responsibilities.

The charter also details any punitive measures that may be taken against members who break the provisions of the charter, but also provide rewards for those who keep the charter.

In Thika, we are developed a TEAM CHARTER and have seen a lot of benefits from having one.

TeamBuilding

WHAT DOES

CHANGE

LOOK LIKE?

Thika CAT Contacts:

We are all trying to make a change.

But what change do we want?

The first step to creating change

Kibsey building, Thika (opposite Nakumatt)

is to clarify

PHONE - 0713054989 Thikacat147@gmail.com

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Photos of our poultry house and chickens in Thika town

what change

we want.

Green Action Club (GAC) The Climate Action Team in Kericho

GREEN ACRE FARM PROJECT

Empowered Youth … Transforming Communities

what

A WASTE

Green Acre Farm Project is a multistakeholders farm project committed Its become a mantra for the ―Its an eye-sore … to providing food to people of all in- CAT groups: … I mean, waste!

I think any society that is in its come levels, by sustainably growing … Empowered Youth right mind should first keep its affordable, local foods.

Transforming Communities’ environment clean. A littered enviWe engage our community by educating We have an overwhelming re- ronment is the first sign of a rotour youth and neighbors on growing food sponse of ‘THANK YOU’ from ten society … and promoting healthy, active lifestyles, people in our area for planting … that‟s according to me! beautifying our neighborhoods with edible many trees. So far, we have That inspired me to introduce the landscapes and indigenous trees, and lessen- planted and nurtured 1,500 Kericho CAT‟s quarterly young tress and we aim to plant ing distance from farm to plate. Our misKEEP KERICHO CLEAN! 3,000 more by the end of the sion is to tackle the three challenges of cli- year. For us, we believe that mate change, food insecurity and youth un- youth can be the best ingredient campaign - a core activity on the GAC calendar. We have so far held to spur the community to pro- the event twice in Kericho. And employment. gress and reach greater heights. that‟s just the beginning. With the new county of Kericho in place, we aim to ensure the new county keeps Kericho even GREENER‖ Have you ever tasted KETEPA‘s tea? Ever tried to get Carol, GAC the story behind the product? This is what they say on

The story of TEA

GAC

their packaging: “Kenya is one of the world‟s largest producers of black tea.

Tea is grown at high altitude astride the equator in the rich highlands of Kenya. Rich volcanic soils, selection of the best tea gardens, careful handpicking and efficient factory processing all combine to give you premium quality tea with that refreshing aroma and great taste. No pesticides are applied on Kenyan tea due to favourable climatic conditions ensuring a healthy beverage. Over 450,000 tea farmers derive their livelihood from tea growing in Kenya. We export over 300,000 metric tonnes of black tea each year to various destinations world wide.”

ree Nursery T T A C o h c ri e K

Good enough. But did you know that scientists are sounding an alarm over changing climatic conditions that will adversely impact on Kenya‟s tea sector, putting at risk the 450,000 tea farmer‟s livelihoods, and definitely destroying Kenya‟s earnings from exports?

_____________LIFE LESSONS____________ 

Philosophers say that excellence is something we repeatedly do, not something that just happens to us.



Creating good habits requires being able to do the same thing over and over again, until you get it perfectly right.



When caught in the most difficult process of change and battling with resistance, always visualise what your finished result will look like and share this with your team.

Kericho GAC Contacts: P.O. Box 453, KERICHO PHONE — 0711663065 greenactionkericho@gmail.com E2: greenactionclub@gmail.com

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Yatta CAT

The Climate Action Team in Yatta YCAT Contacts: Kithimani Building, Kithimani (next to Manyatta Hotel) PHONE - 0713054985 Catyatta45@yahoo.co

BUILT TO LAST Let‘s Clean Yatta!

In the first stages of team building, the ‗forming‘ of the team takes place. For any team the forming stage is important because it‟s when team members get to know one another, exchange personal information, and make friends.

WHAT‘S HAPPENING AT

In the „storming‟ stage the team addresses issues such as what problems they are really supposed to solve, how they will function independently and together, and what leadership model they will accept.

Team members open up to each other and confront each other's ideas and perspectives.

YCAT At YCAT, we have embarked on several micro-projects. One is the fruit trees nursery project in which different species are grown: such as guava, mango, passion and pawpaw. Members all plan to have a fruit tree nursery in their homes and to sell to the community, while raising awareness on the value of fruit trees. The purpose of developing fruit nurseries is to boost food security and nutrition, since Yatta is a semi -arid area.

Another project we are undertaking is the marketing of solar products to help reduce the use of kerosene and its adverse effects on climate and human health. The group is also in the process of acquiring a simple drip irrigation kit to support their vegetable garden and increase food security. Our latest project was an innovative poultry project where group members and any one interested can buy shares. Each share is one chicken.

“WHETHER YOU FAIL OR SUCCEED DEPENDS ON :

WHAT YOU DO TO YOURSELF

MORE THAN WHAT THE WORLD DOES TO YOU‖ (JIM COLLINS).

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We believe a group that is built to last goes through four phases: This is the: Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, model of group development (Originated by Bruce Tuckman).

Fruit & Veg from YCAT

YattaCAT PROJECTS YCAT Kuku

The poultry project is facing a boom with partnership on marketing with the Ministry of Youth and training on financial literacy from Equity Foundation.

Currently we have expanded our stock and working on a construction project for a bigger and a better poultry house.

In the „norming‟ stage, the group „normalizes its procedures — goals are set and plans are made. All team members take responsibilities and have the ambition to work for the success of the team's goals.

In the final stage, „high-performing‟ teams are able to function as a unit as they find ways to get the job done smoothly and effectively without inappropriate conflict or the need for external supervision.

YCAT Tree Project

Currently with 4000 tree seedlings and growing (number and size!) day by day.

YCAT at Embu Camp

Members attended the recent Embu Camp and learnt more on leadership issues.

DID YOU

KNOW?

Research has shown that out of 100 people who have a dream, only 10 take a significant step towards realizing the dream, and only 1 gets to realize the dream. We called this the 100:10:1 rule that we use during our team building sessions. Contact us to know more about this rule and how understanding it can help you be the 1 out of the 100 who realize the dream.

Nakuru Springs

The Climate Action Team in Nakuru

DEVELOPING ENTERPRISE (the ups and downs of becoming a viable CAT)

We would like to share the experience so far in building Nakuru Springs, as a case of challenges and opportunities for transforming sometimes naive youthful creativity, into a thriving business venture within a solid social enterprise organization.

For the past 15 months Nakuru CAT has had a fluid membership. The group started in February 2012, registering as a self help group, „Nakuru Springs‟, in April 2012 and kick-started its operations by utilizing the creativity of its members to develop innovative products, such as hand bags, table mats and bead work from re-used and recycled waste. The project was very innovative and we imagined the sky would be the limit to what we could achieve. The project however ran into problems of marketing, as pricing for products was too high. Here, we learnt a hard lesson on business operations and profitability.

The group later started a juice making and distribution business which was coupled with fruit tree nursery establishment to make the business green. The group had initially evaluated other projects such as poultry business and pig farming, but those two businesses were shelved at the start because they were considered risky and the group members were not confident enough to undertake them due to inexperience. The jewellery and Ladies can do this too! Carol Nyambura from Nakuru Springs leads the way in preparing their plot for veggies. mat making business was shelved because the most skilled members in the art joined college. The juice making business had some operational challenges such as short shelf life for the juice that necessitated refrigeration. The group also started a charcoal briquette manufacturing and distribution business.

Between October and December, the project was on a low operation, due to project management changes. The group was thus mainly involved in marketing solar lights (provided by CAPSAY) to the local community. Starting January this year, management issues were dealt with and the project came back to full operation with a lot of fast-tracking activities. Part of the this was to acquire new and more vibrant members and to stabilize membership. The new members who joined Nakuru Springs members in their new office. the Nakuru group undertook to upscale the charcoal briquette business, focusing on distribution, rather than manufacturing.

Compared to many, the new Nakuru CAT can boast good female representation; starting with 6 males/6 females, the current ratio is 14 males to 9 females.

A FRESH START: In March this year, the group joined premises with the CAPSAY office, acquired new members and fresh life, with a renewed focus on agri-business. The current team is now very optimistic and confident that they have finally gone through the most turbulent phase of organizational development and can now move forward to greater success in the coming year.

(From Eric Mokua, Nakuru Springs CAT)

Organic Experience Nakuru CAT has been working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, and other stakeholders to promote organic agriculture.

The task of promoting organic is difficult because Nakuru consumers seem not to be interested in whether food is grown using inorganic fertilizers and herbicides or organic manure and natural control.

But there is hope. Maina, an organic farmer visited by Nakuru CAT, together with representatives from the International Organic Farmers Association, confirmed that crops from his farm grew faster, compared to crops grown by his neighbours, using chemical fertilizers and herbicides. Maina also assured us that his produce was sweeter and more nutritious.

This confirms previous studies by various research bodies (e.g. UNEP) that organic systems are not only better for our environment, but also the foods are more healthy for us when we eat them.

The BIG question is, why hasn‟t the government made deliberate efforts to promote organic agriculture? AND … Are inorganic methods really sustainable?

COUNTY-TRACKER: An innovation in advocacy and governance Kenyans went to the polls on March 4th 2013 and ushered in a new era that involves a devolved governance.

Counties wll be receiving up to 15% of the national budget and are expected to have more revenue collection from within their borders.

The BIG Question is, will all this translate into good service delivery, in line with our new constitution?

‗County Tracker‘ Nakuru Springs Contacts: Section 58, Nkr-Nrb Highway P.O. Box 17347-20100, Nakuru, PHONE — 0735025432 Twitter: @nakurusprings nakurusprings10@gmail.com

is a new and innovative governance tool Nakuru CAT is developing in partnership with the other CATs in Nakuru County. It will be a system designed to keep an eye on County Government progress and activities, at each step. Get in touch with us and help us keep our counties accountable.

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New CATs COMING (Two examples of new CATs, starting April 2013. More in next KenyaCAT newsletter)

USEFUL SITES FOR

CHANGEMAKERS

NjoroCAT: bridge to Uni CAT

GilGil CAT ‗Greenfest‘

http://uk.ashoka.org/changemaker

The new NjoroCAT sits on the doorstep of Egerton University. CATs focus on community and Egerton also prides itself on community linkages. So why not „marry‟ the two?…for mutual benefit? In time, KenyaCAT aims to start a „UniCAT‟ arm and we hope that NjoroCAT can work with Egerton, to pilot this exciting idea.

The context for a UniCAT initiative is that students from KCCP clubs in secondary schools transit to a CAT group, after Form4. But after a short time with their CAT, some students move on again, to university. Being then able to join a UniCAT would ensure that the talent and commitment of these valued CAT members is not lost, but kept alive! Comments please???

Elementaita GreenFest is a unique annual event proposed by GilGil CAT, that aims to use sports, music and eco-tourism to promote conservation of Lake Elementaita and the surrounding environment.

http://www.mindtools.com

The objectives are; to promote the tourism potential of the region, to attract investments related to the lake‟s ecosystem, and to increase community awareness regarding conservation of the lake and its catchment area.

GilGil CAT will also link up to the local Sanata Trust, to learn from them and assist in the production and marketing of alternative fuel briquettes. Currently „SANCHAT‟ produces 10 tonnes per day!! THAT‘S IMPRESSIVE!!

To be, or not to be ... ORGANIC? GROW GREEN

RECYCLE GREEN

MAKE GREEN

There is a great deal of scope for CATs to get really ‗GREEN‘ by going ‗organic‘. This could be in the form of growing organic vegetables and fruits, OR maybe in the shape of recycling organic wastes OR perhaps even producing organic manures and liquid fertilizers. The opportunities are there and the markets are opening up rapidly for these types of enterprises.

FOR MORE INFORAMTION CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CAT OFFICER.

http://www.yesworld.org/ www.echoinggreen.org www.changemaker.org http://www.abetterworldbydesign.com/ http://www.ned.com/group/seeb/ws/ www.IFOAM.org www.irfc.org http://youthpolicy.blogspot.com

KenyaCAT

KenyaCAT IS COMING: the new national brand that will bring together all the CATs across the country.

The KenyaCAT brand is going to provide a national platform for collaboration, networking, fund raising and marketing for the CAT project and CAT innovations. Ideas like Naivasha‟s .Eco-Broom‟ and Mombasa‟s „Eco-Flame‟, can both be marketed as KenyaCAT.

So, what does a young changemaker need to do ?

Keen listening gives you a better chance of gaining a deeper understanding into the While high achievers may seem like they problems you are trying to solve and, esgot to where they are all on their own, pecially if there are issues under the surface, which are being hinted at than being a lot of them agree that networks are the key to success. It is important to disclosed outright. cultivate an inner circle of people who care about your personal and profesSeek Synergies sional growth, these are the people who Whether working on a new development can offer you support and give you that or changing an existing one, there are extra push. bound to be differences of opinion.

Cultivate a network

Listen deeply A good habit of change makers is the ability to listen deeply. Most times, we only listen as far as we are interested before we jump in with what we think are our brilliant suggestions or ideas.

14

Be diligent and be persistent!

AND … get modern with your methods: ????

Future Plans Energy Efficiency Ambassadors CAPSAY/CATs has agreed with UN Habitat to work together to promote the efficient use of energy in the locality of each CAT. This could include: making and marketing solar lights; energy efficient cookstoves, biogas & gasification, and generally promoting awareness and action on energy issues.

UN Habitat will support this, by providing intensive training for CAT members (10 from each group) to enable greater understanding related to energy and support development of energyrelated projects, in CAT communities.

The first training will take place in Nairobi, July 1st to 5th, and will include training from Kenyan and East African energy specialists. Attendees will be selected on merit.

Eco-fab is a fantastic, brand name initiative that Green Platinum is working on. The aim is to create a highly-functional, very attractive and wholely affordable design, using reclaimed and sustainable materials. This is what happens when youthful creativity and good design come together for the greater good of the environment. WELL DONE ‗GP‘!

6-MONTH CALENDAR Period

Activities include

May

Training and induction of new Kenya CATs Publication and launch of KenyaCAT Newsletter

June

Launch of the KenyaCAT brand of products Participation in World Environment Day

July

UNHabitat training—Energy Efficiency Ambassadors CATs support schools in micro-project development

AUG

Regional training on assembly of solar lanterns Exchange programmes for CAT groups, in regions

SEPT

Projected launch of the ECOS cookstove project Publication of KenyaCAT newsletter, Issue No. 2

OCT

CATs and KCCP Regional Showcasing events CAPSAY National Conference in Nairobi

ECOS The Energy Conserving Stove ECOS is a logo you will hear much more of in the future. It is a newly innovated clean cookstove that will revolutionise cooking and water heating, will be friendly to the environment and healthy for humans. More than this we are also planning for CATs to be involved in marketing and distribution of ECOS! As we go to press with this newsletter, things are not yet finalised, but if ideas materialise, then by September this year, we hope to be training CAT members and equipping you with the capacity to work with your communities (schools, groups and individuals) to play your part in making a cleaner and greener Kenya. And, you will receive income for your involvement. WIN, WIN, they say! More on this very soon.

All you need is a GROUP and a GOAL

We are developing the Collective Action Toolkit (CAT) that will be availed on our website and to every CAT. It's designed to be flexible and accessible, with an action map and activities arranged into six categories, from building a group, to imagining new ideas, to planning change.

The toolkit challenges groups to move beyond discussion to action, continually clarifying their shared goals based on what they learn through the problem-

So, look out for the Collective Action Toolkit (CAT) ... COMING SOON! 15

Our Partners Key partners in the Climate Action Programme for Schools and Youth include:

KenyaCAT is a publication of the Climate Action Programme for Schools and Youth, 80 Muthithi Road, Westlands, P.O. Box 11349 00100 Nairobi, Email: info@capsay.org, Website: www.capsay.org Layout & Design: Nelson Ochieng Opany, Editing: Kevin Ochieng, Final Editing & Design: Greig Whitehead, Copyright ŠCAPSAY.